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Leaving the Hospital

This section of our website will provide you with useful information regarding your transition once you’re ready to leave the hospital.

When it’s time to go home, your care team will work with you and your family on a discharge plan to ensure you’re prepared for the next step in your recovery. If you have any questions, your care team is here to help. 

Your doctor will determine when you are medically stable for discharge, which typically occurs by 11 a.m. Once confirmed, please let your family know so they can pick you up or arrange transportation. If your pickup is delayed, you will be moved to a discharge lounge.

Sign up for MyChart to stay on top of your health information, including test results, visit summaries and medications, past and future appointments, questionnaires, health tracking and more.

Please note: Discharge calls remain operational. You may be called for a brief survey about your discharge experience.

   Log in or sign up for MyChart    

What is post-hospital care planning? 

Post-hospital care planning, or discharge planning, is the process of preparing you to leave the hospital. 

What are the benefits of recovering at home? 

Recovering at home can reduce stress and promote faster healing in a familiar environment. It allows you to return to your daily routine and focus on recovery while minimizing the risk of hospital-acquired infections. 

Who will help me plan to go home?

Mackenzie Health follows the Home First philosophy and will work with you and your family to ensure you’re ready to leave and have the support you need at home. 

What is the role of my designated family member or substitute decision-maker? 

If you need support with decision-making, your designated family member or substitute decision-maker will work with your care team to ensure your care plan is in place before discharge. 

What if I have questions about long-term care? 

A coordinator from Ontario Health at Home will contact you to provide information, help you understand your options and answer any questions if you are considering long-term care. 

A note about the impact of Bill 7 

The provincial government passed the More Beds, Better Care Act, 2022, authorizing hospital care teams and home and community care services to make decisions for patients who no longer require acute hospital care but still need an Alternate Level of Care (ALC).  For more information, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/s22016 

How will I get home or to my next destination after discharge?

Transportation is arranged by you, your family or your substitute decision-maker. Options include:

  • A private vehicle (driven by a family member, friend or yourself)
  • Taxi, ride-share or public transit (fee-for-service)
  • Non-urgent patient transfer services (a list of providers is available upon request; fee-for-service) 

If you need help arranging transportation, please speak to your discharge planning team.

Who is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation?

You, your family or your substitute decision-maker are responsible for arranging and paying for transportation.

Mackenzie Health and OHIP do not cover transportation costs for discharge. 

MackenzieHelps

MackenzieHelps is a 16-week program that helps transition you or your family member from the hospital to home. A member of your care team visits you within 24 hours of discharge and checks in daily during the first week. Support is provided for up to 16 weeks, including necessary referrals and community resources.

MackenzieHelps Plus

MackenzieHelps Plus extends this support for 26 weeks, providing longer-term care. The program includes additional partners like LOFT for comprehensive care. This is ideal if extended support is needed during the recovery process.

Mental Health Outpatient Services for Adults

Mackenzie Health offers many outpatient programs and services for adults and families experiencing mental health challenges, as well as an adult inpatient mental health unit.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis (feeling like you can't cope or are not in control), please contact York Region and South Simcoe's Community Crisis Response Service at 1-855-310-COPE (2673) or (TTY) 1-866-323-7785 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 911. 

Don’t have a family doctor? Scan the QR code below to register with Health Care Connect — the fastest way to be matched to a provider in your community. A care connector will follow up to match you with a doctor in your community. 

Already registered and need a primary care provider sooner?

Email: primaryCareNavigator@MackenzieHealth.ca
905-883-1212 ext. 2395 (Available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Shelter and Housing Support

Resource: Central Intake Line (Toronto)
Use this service to access information about all available shelters in the region.

Organization: Toronto Shelter, Support and Housing Services
Phone: 1-877-338-3398
torontocentralhealthline.ca

Youth Mental Health Support

Resource: MOBYSS – Mobile Youth Walk-In and Virtual Clinic
Free mental health support for youth, available in person and virtually.

Provider: CMHA-MOBYSS
Phone: 289-879-2376
Email: mobyss@cmha-yr.on.ca

Addiction Support

Resource: RAAM Clinic – Rapid Access Addiction Medicine
Timely support for substance use concerns, no referral required.

Clinic: RAAM Clinic
Hospital: Mackenzie Health
Phone: 1-800-263-2288, ext. 322
Location: Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital
10 Trench St, B Wing, Level 3, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 4Z3